Wow, I've been working on this **** lid for so long now, I'm reluctant to actually call it done -- but as my progress is slowing, I'm finally calling time on it. :) Below are pics of my "final" ESB helmet (FP Prem). I'm content with how it came out, but ****, there's a whole ton of mistakes made along the way. I'm hoping to apply what I learned here onto my 2nd helmet (hopefully a GMH or another FP Prem).

I followed the paints list from TF (nearly all are Humbrol), with some suggested swaps from Jayvee's thread. I also chose to paint on all the decals instead of use adhesive ones so they look closer to the orig Letraset (at least IMO). Again, I think they came out well - though I can improve upon them next time.

Anyway, any feedback is welcome. I'm not sure what I can fix at this point - but even if it's notes for my next build, it would be good to hear it. And of course, thanks to a ton of folks here who made getting to this point even possible -- superjedi, Spidey, Jayvee, welshwarrior, godaiking, TF and of course, Raf the man and FP!

That helmet paint job is amazing! All the colors looks spot on and the scratches are in the right place! I think you missed some fine silver scratches on the front-left-lower part of the dome (between the left arrow and the first kill stripe - look at your comparison image). Amazing helmet, beautiful paint job and an excellent painter!

Edit
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Now go and change your avatar!

Oct 19, 2012

Roninson

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Thanks, Raf! Yep, I see exactly the ones you're pointing out. I think I'll paint those in, in the morning (or over the weekend).

Thanks again for your help and your stencils! Couldn't have done it without ya, brother!

Oct 19, 2012

sleepalot

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Awesome job on the lid. If you aren't satisfied with it.....I'll take it ;)

Oct 19, 2012

locitus

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Beautiful! :)

Oct 19, 2012

Jayvee

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Sensational my good man, glad some of my ideas were helpful, but with those skills, I think you always would've done just fine :) Wonderful work brother, you should be very pleased with this paint job! peace :)

Wow man, that looks excellent! The colors are perfect. I hope i can do my scratch build paint up this good. Then after i do that, im going to repaint my Bobamaker.

Oct 19, 2012

Roninson

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Thanks, brothers! Lots of inspiration here to help along the way -- plus meeting folks like Scott, Spidey, Seeker & SuperJedi at CVI was really helpful.

Oct 19, 2012

superjedi

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Great work, Paul! That's a helmet you can be proud of. :thumbsup

Did you settle on a clear coat yet?

Oct 19, 2012

Roninson

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Thanks, Eric! I purchased some Modelmaster acrylic semi-gloss and applied one coat of it - but I'm not very happy with the result (not sure if its the clearcoat, my paintup or my airbrushing it on). Someone suggested a polyurethane clearcoat, but I wasn't sure that would mix well with the paint either. Unless I come across a better brand (was looking for a lacquer-based one), I think I'm going to hold off on a satin finish for the time being.

Oct 19, 2012

superjedi

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Yeah, clear coats are tricky. I need to find one that I'm happy with. Testors dull coat
gives a nice rugged protective finish, but it's dead flat.
I've seen other painters who give the finished helmet a light buffing with steel wool. I've tried
that on older test pieces, and it's hard to get an even finish all over the surface.

Oct 19, 2012

Major

Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Looks really really good...... Nice job

Oct 19, 2012

Jayvee

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Yea, im with Eric here too - as ive yet to really find a clear coat with just that right amount of satin sheen required, I tend to just leave it alone. Particularly as I also don't troop in my lids, and they are more for display purposes. I do know Garrett (Terminal Fettler) uses the humbrol clear coats through the airbrush though, and he always has outstanding looking work. These are probably the best options, and have to be mixed with white spirit, but probably the nicest satin sheen. I've still just never been quite completely sold on the clear coats tho, even in my testing with these Humbrol versions...

Oct 20, 2012

Fett 4 Real

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

I like rusto flat clear its not dull coat dull but its flat ish...

Oct 20, 2012

thebeans

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Sensational paint work !!!! awesome, be proud :thumbsup

Oct 20, 2012

animefan

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Its about as perfect as you can get

Oct 22, 2012

Roninson

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Thanks, guys - it took a LONG time (several months of on & off work).

Eric/Jayvee: I tried steel wool over the weekend and while it brought up the overall sheen of the helmet, I think anyone besides myself would be hard-pressed to see a difference. I think I'm going to hold off on until my next helmet -- maybe try a few tests along the way. I'm pretty convinced the base material of the ILM helmet is probably the main contributor to its surface quality (as opposed to any finish they may have applied).

Oct 22, 2012

dinkydarth

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Very nice work, and so accurate! Inspiration to get me working on my own ESB!

Oct 23, 2012

RobaFett

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

that pretty well spot on paint job there man, awsome!:thumbsup

Oct 23, 2012

superjedi

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

Quote:

Roninson said:

. . .I tried steel wool over the weekend and while it brought up the overall sheen of the helmet, I think anyone besides myself would be hard-pressed to see a difference. . .

It is a very subtle effect. I did a steel wool rub-down on my PP3 once I got done with it.
I had used Polly Scale clear flat, which if you've never tried it, is just a touch "milky" when
it's airbrushed on. It's also dead flat, so that's why I used the steel wool.
But as I mentioned, it's really hard to get an even look all over the helmet. I wasn't so
worried about doing it on the PP3, as that has a really worn look overall.

Oct 24, 2012

Archaster777

Re: Showoff: ESB FP Prem helmet paintup

man... I can only dream that my bucket will look as cool as that helmet. You did an awsome job man!